Egyptian Artists Condemn Aggressions On Palestinians

Published April 4th, 2002 - 02:00 GMT

More than 1000 Egyptian artists grouped Wednesday afternoon at al Baloon Theater to express their solidarity with the Palestinian people.

More than 1000 Egyptian artists grouped Wednesday afternoon at al Baloon Theater to express their solidarity with the Palestinian people in their plight and hail their resistance against the Israeli soldiers inhumane aggression against them, according to the daily al Ahram.

The artists raised the Palestinian flag with the phrase “Palestine is an Arab Country” written on it. The participants started their meeting by standing up for one minute in morn for the souls of the Palestinian martyrs. The head of the Artistic Associations Union al Sayyed Radi then read a statement forwarded by the union to the world’s creative people and artists calling them to support the Palestinian people who are currently facing fierce Israeli aggressions indicating the Israeli repeated refusals of the Arab and European peace initiatives. They also renounced the US over their support for Israel at the expense of the Palestinians and their rights.

The Egyptian actor Farouq al Fishawi then announced the next Sunday would be dedicated by the artists as Palestine Day. He called on the Minister of Information Safwat al Sherif to devote that day for broadcasting program on the Palestinian issue on the TV screens similar to the same stance taken Thursday by ART and next Friday by Jordan TV.

The Filmmakers Association head, Mamdouh al Laithi, the Actors Association Chief Yousef Shaaban and the Musicians Chief, Hasan Abu al Saud reiterated the stance of the Egyptian and Arab world artists, which supports the Palestinian issue. Also a large number of artists including Mahmoud Abdel Aziz, Laila Olwi, Mohsinah Tawfiq, Ahmed Bedair, Ferdous Abdel Hamid and the Palestinian artist Ghassan Mattar whose wife and son died as martyrs during the Israeli attacks on Lebanon spoke to the participants -- Albawaba.com